it plays down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it plays down" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of minimizing or downplaying the importance or significance of something. Example: "The report plays down the potential risks associated with the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

The title change certainly spices things up, no matter how commonplace body art is, at least outside of Stockholm, and it plays down its overarching theme, which the movie only does further.

The New York Times - Arts

Why would a company argue in court that its medical product is dangerous, even as it plays down the risks in public?

The New York Times

It plays down the reality that these immigrants already cost taxpayers many millions.

The New York Times

And it plays down the costs of steep deficit reduction in an economy that remains far short of its potential.

The New York Times

This is technically accurate, but it plays down the obsessive religiosity of Tocqueville's thinking, especially after 1835.

The New Yorker

It plays down, rather than up, the multiplier benefits of jobs in the drug industry, for instance.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Make it play down.

The New York Times

Still, it played down the significance of the problem.

The New York Times - Tech

But it played down the importance of having connections on both sides of the political spectrum.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Boehner wouldn't guarantee it, playing down warnings of financial havoc.

The New York Times

However, it played down talk of a rift with Mr Byng.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it plays down" when you want to convey that something is being intentionally presented as less important than it might actually be. Consider the context to ensure this nuance is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "it plays down" excessively in passive constructions. Ensure the subject performing the action of downplaying is clear to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it plays down" functions as a verb phrase, typically used transitively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that a subject is minimizing or reducing the perceived importance of something. It often implies a deliberate effort to de-emphasize certain aspects.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it plays down" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a verb phrase used to convey that a subject is minimizing or reducing the perceived importance of something. Analysis of its usage reveals it is most commonly found in news and media, with some presence in scientific writing. While interchangeable alternatives like "it minimizes" and "it downplays" exist, understanding the nuance of intentional downplaying is crucial for accurate usage. It's important to be mindful of clarity, ensuring the subject doing the downplaying is clearly defined to prevent ambiguity. In essence, "it plays down" serves as a valuable tool for subtly indicating a reduction in significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it downplays

Direct synonym, emphasizing a reduction in perceived significance.

it minimizes

Focuses on reducing something to the smallest possible amount or degree.

it de-emphasizes

Highlights a deliberate reduction in emphasis.

it understates

Suggests presenting something as less significant than it actually is.

it diminishes

Implies lessening the importance or impact of something.

it glosses over

Indicates a superficial treatment, avoiding deeper scrutiny.

it soft-pedals

Emphasizes a gentle or subtle approach to de-emphasizing something.

it trivializes

Suggests making something seem unimportant or insignificant.

it obscures

Implies making something unclear or less noticeable.

it disregards

Indicates ignoring or paying little attention to something.

FAQs

How can I use "it plays down" in a sentence?

Use "it plays down" to indicate that something is being presented as less significant than it actually is. For example, "The company's statement plays down the severity of the environmental damage".

What are some alternatives to "it plays down"?

You can use alternatives like "it minimizes", "it understates", or "it downplays" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it plays down the importance"?

Yes, "it plays down the importance" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It clearly conveys the idea of reducing the perceived significance of something.

What's the difference between "it plays down" and "it emphasizes"?

"It plays down" suggests a reduction in emphasis or significance, while "it emphasizes" highlights or gives prominence to something. They are opposite in meaning.